Paul and Suzie Thompson talking to Chris Jackson
Be careful what you wish for. An old adage that many of us should heed, especially as your best intentions may backfire.
When %3Ca%20href="/programmes/b01nj43s">Inside Out airs tonight (19:30hrs Monday, 22 October 2012) it will be the second case in which we reveal how a police force, trying to root out rogue officers, ends up shining a light uncomfortably brightly into its own affairs.
Back in 2010 we reported on the case of %3Ca%20href="/news/10581584">Maurice Allen. The Durham officer had been selling on guns handed in to the police for safe disposal. He was convicted, but in an exclusive interview with Inside Out he revealed how the force's internal control of guns and licensing was a mess. At his trial the judge branded Durham's firearms procedures as "extremely lax, if not chaotic".
In our latest episode we speak to Paul and Suzie Thompson. He was an undercover detective with %3Ca%20href="https://www.northumbria.police.uk/">Northumbria Police and she was a high powered exec on Teesside.
He stupidly ended up using cocaine behind his wife's back. His bosses meanwhile thought he was linked to a drug dealing gang and launched a big anti-corruption investigation.
When Suzie was arrested it all came out of the blue and she found herself accused of being part of this drugs ring.
At court, the couple were cleared on the dealing charges. They'd always denied conspiracy to supply and when the evidence against them was revealed it left them wondering how on earth it could ever have led to a prosecution.
The jury was told Paul Thompson had a conversation in which he said goods were to be delivered at the weekend as they had to be cut then. His wife had texted a friend saying they were celebrating with a "snifter to get in the mood".
However when the whole picture emerged at trial it was revealed his chat was in fact in a timber yard when he was buying wood, and Suzie was pouring a "snifter" of whiskey to celebrate the start of the festive season.
Paul Thompson accepts his police career was always going to be over. He admitted taking cocaine and he was convicted of possession.
But for his blameless wife the fall out of the police investigation was devastating. She lost her job because of all the adverse publicity.
Possessing a %3Ca%20href="%3Ca%20href="https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_2120000/newsid_2120400/2120454.stm?">class A drug would have been enough to root out a bad apple from their own ranks; However the internal investigations team were adamant they had a drugs mastermind on their hands, even though the evidence as revealed in court just didn't stack up.
Northumbria Police told us: "The public rightly expects the highest possible standards of all Northumbria Police officers and staff. Where we suspect those standards fall below the required level, we will take action.
"Paul Thompson was a serving officer convicted of possessing a class A drug and misconduct in a public office - this was entirely inappropriate behaviour for any employee of Northumbria Police.
"We carefully consider each investigation we undertake, to make a decision purely on cost would be wrong, we are obliged to investigate thoroughly if concerns are raised to us and will continue to do so".
Northumbria Police confirmed that they'd had a complaint from Mrs Thompson which was investigated - but not upheld.
No one can doubt the police are right to fight corruption within their own force but cases like these are bound to be high profile.
We shouldn't be surprised that no-one is perfect.
Those that have done wrong should expect to be punished, but those holding them to account should be prepared for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to be revealed about all those involved.
Hi, I'm Chris Jackson - presenter of the North East & Cumbria's very own current affairs programme, Inside Out. Welcome to my blog where I'll reveal some behind-the-scenes goings-on and share my thoughts on the stories we cover.
